Connect with us

Latest News

Kuwait highlights carbon neutrality goals at SCO meet

Published

on

BEIJING: Kuwait showcased its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and its national vision for diversifying the economy and building a prosperous future for coming generations, during its participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Energy Ministers’ Conference. The event was held in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, East China, on June 26–27 under the theme “Innovation and Integration: A Dynamic Future”, with the participation of ministers, officials and experts from SCO member states, observers, and dialogue partners.

In a statement received by KUNA on Saturday, Kuwait’s Embassy in Beijing highlighted the remarks of Counselor Abdulaziz Al-Dakhil, who represented the Embassy at the conference. In his address, Al-Dakhil affirmed Kuwait’s full support for the SCO’s goals, especially under China’s rotating presidency for 2024–2025, which it has designated as the “Years of Sustainable Development”. He noted that this initiative reflects a collective commitment to climate action, energy security, and the transition to a green economy.

Al-Dakhil emphasized that Kuwait, as an active dialogue partner of the SCO, continues to strengthen its regional and international cooperation in energy transition and environmental sustainability. He also highlighted the significance of the Kuwait-China energy partnership, particularly following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in July 2024 between Kuwait’s ministry of electricity, water and renewable energy, China’s State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) and the National Energy Administration. The agreement covers areas such as renewable energy, technical cooperation to manage peak demand, and planning for clean energy infrastructure.

Al-Dakhil added that a visit by a high-level Chinese delegation to the Shagaya Renewable Energy Park in May underscored the seriousness of the partnership and both sides’ interest in future expansion. He stated that Kuwait’s efforts align with the SCO’s energy strategy through 2030, which was adopted at the energy ministers’ meeting in Astana in 2024. He stressed that Kuwait’s experience in clean energy provides a model worth sharing and discussing among SCO member states — particularly in the areas of renewable energy projects, capacity building, and smart city planning.

He concluded his remarks by acknowledging that the path to carbon neutrality is filled with challenges but also offers genuine opportunities for cooperation and innovation. He reiterated Kuwait’s commitment to laying strong foundations for a sustainable and integrated regional future through its regional and international partnerships. — KUNA

Latest News

Crown Prince receives Egyptian Deputy PM

Published

on

By

KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received on Tuesday at Bayan Palace the Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, Lieutenant General Kamel Abdulhadi Al-Wazir, and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their official visit to the country. The meeting was attended by Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan and Egypt’s Ambassador to Kuwait Osama Shaltout.– KUNA photos

Continue Reading

Latest News

Workshop discusses health competency framework

Published

on

By

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Monday inaugurated a regional workshop titled “Competency Framework”, aimed at reviewing the preliminary draft of a competency framework for public health professionals. The three-day workshop is organized by the Gulf Center for Disease Control in cooperation with the Gulf Health Council and the Kuwait Center for Disease Prevention and Control (KCDC).

In his opening remarks, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry, Dr Munther Al-Hasawi, welcomed a distinguished group of public health leaders and specialists from GCC countries, emphasizing the workshop’s importance in light of the increasing need to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the public health workforce. Al-Hasawi stressed the critical role of investing in human capital through training, capacity building, and well-structured competency frameworks grounded in scientific and practical methodologies. He noted that public health competency goes beyond technical expertise, encompassing key administrative and interpersonal skills such as leadership, teamwork, and effective communication.

“Competency in public health is the ability to deliver appropriate, effective services to communities while achieving optimal outcomes,” Al-Hasawi said. “It includes service delivery, resource management, community engagement, and cross-sectoral cooperation.” Chairing the workshop, Dr Mohammed Al-Saeedan, Head of the Emergency Department – Public Health at KCDC, told reporters that the session aims to discuss and refine the initial draft of the framework with input from regional decision-makers and experts. The goal, he said, is to develop a comprehensive guide to strengthen the capabilities of the health workforce across GCC countries.

“Competency frameworks contribute to improving public health, increasing life expectancy, reducing the overall health burden, and advancing sustainable development,” Al-Saeedan explained. “Healthy individuals are more productive and better able to contribute to society.” He emphasized the importance of continuously updating public health guidelines and competency standards to build professional readiness and effectively address evolving health challenges. “Guidelines serve as essential tools in disease prevention and health promotion, guiding individuals and communities in making informed health choices that enhance quality of life,” he said.

Al-Saeedan noted that global shifts and the rising prevalence of diseases demand heightened preparedness and response capabilities. “As the world increasingly prioritizes prevention over treatment, public health professionals must be equipped with the highest level of skill and knowledge to manage emergencies and implement effective interventions,” he added. The workshop is expected to result in key recommendations that will shape a unified GCC approach to public health competency development and workforce excellence. — KUNA

Continue Reading

Latest News

The hidden drivers behind high prices in Kuwait

Published

on

By

Although Kuwait was ranked earlier this year as the second least expensive Gulf country in the 2025 World Cost of Living Index, many residents feel that the prices of certain goods or services remain disproportionately high compared to other countries. While essential services — such as electricity, water, and fuel — are heavily subsidized and therefore inexpensive, other aspects of life, including housing, entertainment, and branded products, often carry a much steeper cost.

Therefore, according to economic expert Dr. Amer Al Tamimi, the root of the issue lies not in government policy, but in people’s behavior — whether it’s business owners inflating prices or consumers adopting high-cost lifestyles. Each year the state allocates no less than KD 6 billion in subsidies for electricity, water, fuel, and even certain food items. “In fact, the government has made life remarkably affordable for citizens — perhaps even too affordable.” But while basic goods may be inexpensive, the same cannot be said for luxury and lifestyle products. According to Al Tamimi, the high standard of living and strong purchasing power among Kuwait’s resident’s fuels intense demand for premium items — from cars and watches to high-end services and entertainment.

“These items might be cheaper elsewhere, but in Kuwait, the appetite for luxury pushes prices higher,” he explained. Even mid-range categories, such as transportation and clothing, are considered expensive when compared to regional or global averages. Social behavior plays a significant role in shaping price dynamics. “Some individuals, despite earning modest incomes, make choices driven by appearances,” said Al Tamimi. “Someone earning KD 1,000 might buy a car with KD 500 monthly installments just to keep up an image.”

This desire to showcase wealth creates an artificial demand for high-end goods and services. As demand rises, so do prices, creating a feedback loop that affects everything from café menus to car dealerships. “There’s a culture of excessive consumption. People need to rethink their habits, as rational consumption can lead to lower prices overall,” he suggested. This culture of overspending is reflected in many lifestyle choices. “I am surprised to see people pay for coffee delivery when they can simply an easily make it at home,” said Altamimi.

While some spending habits may be avoidable, others — like housing — are fundamental and affect nearly everyone. Al Tamimi pointed to Kuwait’s real estate market as one of the most significant contributors to the high cost of living, citing the soaring price of land. “Land alone accounts for around 70 to 75 percent of the total cost of any building,” he explained. “This is very different from many other countries, where land is more affordable and makes up a smaller portion of overall costs.” This imbalance has driven up both property prices and rent, placing a heavy burden on households and businesses alike. For many residents, housing expenses consume a large share of their monthly income.

Another key issue, Al Tamimi argued, is the lack of competition in certain markets. “Some goods are effectively monopolized by one, two, or three importers,” he noted. This concentration of market power gives a small number of players the ability to set prices with little competitive pressure. To address this, he urged efforts to open up the market. “Breaking these monopolies and encouraging more entrepreneurs to enter different sectors could help,” he said. “We need to streamline business procedures and reduce bureaucratic hurdles that currently discourage new players. In many cases, we only have a handful of stores selling certain products. More competition will ultimately benefit the consumer.”

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 SKUWAIT.COM .